Ronald Koeman will miss essential matches in Barcelona’s bid to win La Liga after the Spanish Football Federation on Friday banned him for two video games after the Dutchman was despatched off throughout his staff’s 2-1 defeat at Granada. The 58-year-old was handed the ban after being proven a purple card within the 66th minute of Thursday’s loss, which has left the La Liga title race large open, for “disparaging or disrespectful attitudes in the direction of referees, officers or sports activities authorities”.
Koeman will be banned from the bench for Barca’s matches at Valencia on Sunday and at home to lead leaders Atletico Madrid the following weekend as the Catalan giants try to snatch the title from current champions Real Madrid.
Barca currently sit third in La Liga as the Spanish top flight heads into its final five fixtures with four teams in with a shout of the title.
Koeman’s side are two points behind Atletico and level on 71 points with second-placed Madrid, while form team Sevilla are a further point back in fourth after having won their last five matches.
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